Safe Family: Tips for a Safe & Happy Holiday

This year we're helping you learn ways to keep yourself and your property safe during the holidays!! Please share tips with friends and neighbors. Be a SAFE Shopper! Be an ALERT Shopper!

PERSONAL SAFETY

•Share your shopping plans with someone you trust •If shopping after dark, take a friend. Park in well lighted and traveled areas •Be Alert! Walk with a purpose and look confident. •Avoid overloading yourself with packages •Keep keys in your hand when walking to your car or home •Be aware of your surroundings and anyone approaching you or your vehicle •If someone demands your purse or wallet surrender it immediately---it's not worth your life. Call police as soon as you can •Do not carry large sums of money with you. Have it broken down in smaller bills and keep them in different locations on your person.

HOME BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS

•Gifts and valuables should be kept out of sight and away from windows •If you are traveling, ask a trusted neighbor to watch your house. If you have an alarm system, use it! •Put timers on different lights, throughout the interior and exterior of the house. •It is not advisable to stop your newspapers, mail, and deliveries, have a trusted neighbor or relative pick it up •Take a home inventory of your valuables and record serial numbers and descriptions. •Engrave your TX DL and photograph the items. Place the list in a safety deposit box. •Schedule a Residential Security Survey with your local law enforcement. •Start or join a Neighborhood watch group so you and your neighbors can report suspicious activity.

PREVENT PICKPOCKETING AND IDENTITY THEFT

•Bring only the cash and credit cards you will need. Keep cash separate from ID and Credit cards. Do not carry your social card or passport with you. •Be Alert! Your purse or wallet may be a target for crime in a crowded shopping area, bus stop and on buses. Be wary of those creating distractions. •Limit the use of your iPod or cell phone when in public areas, your awareness level is compromised, and you could become the target of pick pocketing, robbery, and iPod theft. •Record credit card numbers so you can immediately report any loss to the police and the issuing company. •Strong confident body language and eye contact with others is likely to discourage pick pocketing •Men should keep wallets in your front pocket. Women should keep wallets deep in their purse. •Shred receipts that show your credit car number.

PREVENT AUTO THEFT AND BURGLARY

•Leave nothing in the car. Keep vehicle locked including trunk and doors. •Keep packages in the locked trunk while shopping. Move the car to different locations each time you put more items in the car. •Never leave your car with the engine running. Not only is it risky, it is against the law in Texas.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING

•Use an auto-timer for your house lights •Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home. •Ask a trusted neighbor to park in your driveway during the time you are gone •Do not have your newspaper, mail or deliveries stopped, have a trusted neighbor pick them up •Never display gifts where they can be seen from the outside.

WHILE SHOPPING

•Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you •Have your keys out and ready before you enter the parking lot •Park in a well lit space. Hide bags and gifts in the trunk •Avoid carrying large amounts of money •Never leave your purse unattended. Carry your purse close to your body.

BE ALERT & AWARE OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES WHILE SHOPPING OR TRAVELING

•The Holiday Shopping Season gives rise to threats against shopping malls and other crowded places. •Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. •If you notice an unattended package at a shopping mall or airport, notify security immediately. •Be aware of suspicious people who exhibit erratic or nervous behavior in a mall, shopping center or an airport. •Take notice of people in bulky or inappropriate clothing which can be used to conceal threatening devices or objects •If you notice any suspicious smells or pungent odors in public areas, call law enforcement or security immediately •Report anyone tampering with surveillance cameras or loitering in unauthorized areas

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS, SAY SOMETHING TO SOMEONE― CLERK, SECURITY etc.!

SHOPPING ONLINE WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD

•Do business only with companies you know •Shop only at secure websites •Do not respond to e-mails asking you for personal or credit card information •Check your credit card and bank statements regularly and closely for evidence of fraud. •Report any fraudulent charges to the bank, issuing company, and your local law enforcement.

Online Public Information File

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